Game.



H. M. GRIMES.

GAME.

APPLICATION HLED MAR. 7 1916. 1,285,132. Patented Nov. 19, 1918.

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GAME.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7, 1916.

Patented Nov. 19, 1918.

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H. M. GRID/HES GAME.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. '7', I916. v 1,285,132. Patented NOV. 19,1918.

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GAME.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7, l9l6.

Patented Nov. 19, 1918.

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Emma. cmmns, or xoxomo, INDIANA.

. I I I Specification 0t Letters Patent. Patented NOV. 19, 1918. I 4 Application filed March 7, 1916. SerialNo. 82,555.

To all whom it may concern:

.Be it known that I, HARRY M. GRIMES,

a'citizen of the United States, residing at' ing means foractuating the various figures to simulate the movements andactions of men players in their respective positions upon an'actual ball'field, and to carry into efiect the various plays. common to a real baseball game.

With these objects in view, together with others which will appear as the description proceeds, theinvention resides in the novel combination and arrangement of parts all as will be r'norefully described hereinafter,

illustrated in the drawings, and particularly,

pointed out'in the claims.

In the. drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a game board constructed and arranged in accordance with my invent'on.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.-

' Fig. 3 is a sim lar view ofone of the ball catching devices.

Fig. 4' is a top plan view of the game board, the top being removed, and showing 1 the various movable parts of the device.

on line 8-8 of Fig. 4.-

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view of the' figare representing a batter, showing its operating mechanism.-

Fig. 6 is a view taken on line 6--6 of "Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view showing the connection, between thefigure and its supporting mechanism.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken Fig. 9 is a fragmentary plan view illustratin the connection between the base-run.- ning ngures and their cars. 7

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on line 18 1601? Fig. 9.

' Figq'll is a view ofone of the figures boards,

representing one ofthe outfield'ers for-theedges thereof to prevent the balls used in playing the game from rolling beyond the game board. I

The upper board 13 is provided inwardly Strips 16 project above the upper surface ofthe board 13 at the is arranged beyond the correspondingedge of the slot 17. The purpose of this construction will appear later.

Located beneath the board'l3 ad acent one corner ofthe diamond is a sprocket wheel 19, a chain 20 being trained over said sprocket and resting'within the channel 18 beneath the slot and being co-ei'rtensive there with. The shaft 21 which supports the sprocket wheel 19 is also equipped. with a power sprocket 22, over which passes a power chain 23 adapted to receive power from a sprocket 24, secured upon a shaft 25 remote from the diamond and operated or rotated by means of a detachable handle 26. Upon operation of the handle 26 it is obvious that the chain resting against the wall 18* of the channel 18 beneath the slot 17 will be driven around the same throughout the extent of the base paths. A car 27 is mounted for slid ing movement within the channel 18, and 1s providedwith a vertically disposed shaft 28, x

to which issecured asector 2f), the teeth of which are adapted to engage in the links of the chain 20. A stop or pin 3111s arranged on the car 27 in such position as to limit the movement of the sector to 180 degrees in each direction. A game piece 32 indicating anian in the act of running is provided "with a stem 33 projecting downwardly from one of his feet to be detachablysecured to the shaft 28, and it is apparent the movement of the chain 20 Within the channel 18 will, through the car 27, cause the figure 32 to travel around the base paths. 'lhe chain and sector arrangement is such that initial move ment of the chain will cause the sector and its supporting shaft to rotate 180 degrees, or until the stop 31 is engaged by the outermost of the teeth 30, and this action causes a similar movement to the figure 33. When the movement of the chain 20 is reversed a.

similar action takes place, whereby the figure 32 will at all times first face in the direction oi movement of the chain before actually traveling with the same. The ends of the car 27 are rounded as at 3% to permit of the same sliding around similar shaped corners in the channel 18 at the juncture of the various base paths.

Located centrally of the diamond shaped figure is the pitchers box or position. A slot 35 is made in the upper board 13 to extend laterally of the diamond. A rock bar 36 is pivoted at 36 within the chamber be-' tween the upper and lower boards of the field to extend at right angles to the slot 35 and beneath the sonic. A handle 37 is secured at one end of the bar 36 to project through aslot 38 in the board 13 whereby the bar 36 may be rocked. A block 39 is mounted upon the upper surface of the bar as beneath the slot 35, and a rock lever 4 0 is pivoted as at 41 for rocking movement in said block longitudinally of thebar 36 and laterally of the slot 35, being limited in its forward and rearward movements by engagement with the edges of said slot. A figure i1 representing a man in the act of throwing a ball has one of his feet provided with a stem 42 for detachable engagement with the rock lever 40. The outstretched hand of the figure is provided with a cup 13 for the reception or a ball, the said cup being so arranged or tilted as to hold a ball and has its open end facing in the direction of the home base of the tield A contractile spring it connects the lever dfl with the forward portion of the bar 36, whereby the former is normolly held at the limit of its forward movement. To facilitate retracting the lever against the tension of the spring ist, a trigger member 45 is provided. This member is connected at its forward end to said lever and estends rearrvardly therefrom to terminate in a grip member so projecting upwardly through a slot a? formed in the board 1% remote from the pitchefs box or position. In operation the trin'o S n p c303 .i J ire-cred untn the ngure is in extreme cause the ball to be thrown to either side or 'across the center of the home base, accordingly as the figure is turned.

A shaft 4&8 is mounted for rotation in a bar 49 adjacent one corner of the diamond, the said corner being designated the homebase. The bar l9 is in all respects similar to the bar 36 supporting the figure representing the pitcher, being provided with the handle 50 projecting through a slot 51 formed to extend transversely of the board in the rear of the home base. The shaft 48 carries a pulley or drum 52, to the periphery of which is secured one end oi a contractile spring 53, the opposite endof the spring being secured to one side of the bar e9 adapted to rock as shown by the dotted line positions in the drawing. Secured to the periphery of the pulley opposite to the point of connection or the spring 53 is one end of a flexible member 54: which may be in the form of a strap which is attached at its opposite end to a trigger rod 55, mounted for sliding movement in suitable keepers 56 on the adjacent side or the. bar 49, the said trigger bar'terininating in an upwardly extending finger-grip 53' projecting through a slot 58 in the board 13. A block 59 is secured to the upper surface of the rock bar 49, the said bloclr being provided with a central orilice through which a stem 60 secured to a figure 61 extends for connection with the adjacent end of the shaft 4.8. This shaft is cut away to form a tongue 62 to engage Within a socket 53 arranged on the stem end, whereby a connection between the members efiected, such as will permit of the ready removal of the figure 61 from the board. The figure represents a batsman in the act of striking at a ball, having a bat 64 in his extended arms. 'llhe spring 53 normally holds the pulley in such position that the figur carried thereby is at the extreme limit of striking position, and retraction of the trigger 55 will cause the figure to turn and assume a position ready to strike. lteleasing of the trigger allows the spring 53 to rapidly swing the figure to strilre at a ball delivered from the pitching figure heretofore described. The rock bar upon which the batsman figure is mounted may be renoved accordingly as the pitching figure batter. to simulate the movements of a bat ter during an actual game. By permitting the trigger to move only a slight distance forward,- the bat-held by the figure will be disposed directly over the; home plate,

whereupon the bunt hit common to a base ball game may be actually made.

Mounted for lateral sliding movement in the chamber between the boards 13 and 14, and adjacent the outer end of the field is a frame 65. This frame includes forwardly -extending spaced arms 66, and angularly disposed bars 67 connecting the said arms withthe base of the frame. Guide blocks 68 are secured to the base boardla to hold the frame 65 in proper sliding position. Figures "69 are seoured'at various points in the extent of the frame to project through slots. 70 in the. board'13 of the field. These figures represent the first, second and third basemen, the short stop, and the left, center and right fielders respectively, and are arranged upon-the frame according to the true; position to be'assumed by such players. A' handle 71 is attached to the frame 65 to.per-. mit the latter to be manipulated. By imparting sliding movement to the frame 65' a the figures carried thereby may be shifted to play such positions as may be desired. The figures 69 representing the fielders are each equipped with a'plate 72 to contact a ball batted by the batsman 61, and pegs 73 may be arranged to project from the feet of the figures to extend through the slots 70 into suitable sockets 7 4 in the frame 65.

Arranged in the outermost walls 18 of the channel 18 at the corners of the diamond representing first; second and third bases are gates 75. These gates are pivoted at one end as at '7 6 to swing outwardly, rods 77 being connected to each gate at'one end and.

being extended therefrom to a remote corner of the field to present finger'grips 78 extending through suitable openings in the board 13. There is a similar gate 79 in said chan= nel member slightly to the right of the home plate, the said gate being opened or closed bya knob 80, and a spring 81 holds the said gate normally open. The gates at the various bases are slightly curved as shown, and

when the cars carrying the base runners approach, the gates .being held closed by the the same into operative connection with the.

rods 77, thes'aid cars will be permitted to round the corner of the channel andcontinue on to the next base, but should the control rods be released the cars will crowd against and force; the gates outwardly slightly to permit the car being disengaged from the chain 20. The car will remain in this position until the gate is closed to force chain. It is obvious that the various base runner cars may be thus selectively manipulated to halt or advance as desired to properly simulate the activitiesof a runner in an actual game. When abatter is up or having his turn at bat, a runner figure is positioned upon a car and the. latter rests in position at the right of the home plate against the gate 79 and out of contact with the chain 20. When the ball is struck the gate 79 may be forced closed against the tension of spring 81, whereupon the sector,

on said car comes into operative engagement with the traveling chain and the runner is made to advance to first base.

Each base'is equipped with a catching -de-.

vice in the shape of a funnel 82,the same being flared and open at its upper end and being curyedandrontracted to provide an outlet. at 1ts oppos1te'end to deliver the balls to the playing field. It is to be understoodithat a ball dropped into one of these catchers is to be credited as a catch by the respective basemen. Pegs 83 may be secured to'prosecure. the latter detachably to theplaying field. It is thus seen that all of the figures and equipment maybe readily removed from the playing. field when desired.

In order that a ball thrown from the pitchfigure which. the

the batting figure in such manner that all balls thrown in that direction and which passthe batter will be directed into the same. This catcher may be secured at one edge to a block 85, the latter being secured to the field board by screws 86, whereby the device may be conveniently removed when desired. Anopening or slot 87 is made in the board 13 slightly in advance of the home plate and the immediate upper surface ofthe sai board is slanted or beveled as at 88'to direbt balls discharged from the. catcher 84 into the opening 87. From the openin 87 the balls are conducted beneath the fie d'board iject from. the under sideof the funnels to" 13 toward the center of the diamond in the inclined groove or channel 89. Mounted for oscillation beneath the board 13 slightly in advance of the pitching figure, is a roller 90. This roller may be provided with laterally projecting pintles 91 resting in suitable bearings in supporting blocks 92, the said roller being mounted. for oscillation in the direction of the home plate and second base. The

periphery oi the roller 90 projects into a slot 93 in the surface of the'field, and an arm,- 94 is secured at one end to said roller and normally lies flat upon the board 13 in a forward direction; The forward free end of the arm at is equipped with a collector member 95, the latter projecting downwardl' through an opening- 96 in the boardg13 ad jacent the forward end of saidarm. This collector normally extends at its outer end to the bottom of the inclined way 89, is trough shape in construction, and is providcd at its extremity with a ball retaining lip 97. lhe'distar'ice between the collector 95 and its rocking base is equal to that between the ball retaining cup in the pitcher figures' outstretched hand when in forward position and the said roller 90, and it is obvious that reverse rocking movement of the roller 90 will cause the arm 94 to move rearwardly and to deliver a ball carried by the member through the rear open end of the latter into the cup held in the pitcher figures hand. lo normally hold the arm in operative horizontal position a spring 98 is employed, the said spring being connected at one end to the roller 90 and at its opposite end to afixed part or the game board, and it is apparent that this construction yieldably holds the roller and its related parts in forwardly extended or ball receiving position. A strap 99 may be secured at one end to an actuating lever 100 projecting through a suitable opening in the face of the board 13, in the rear oi? the pitcher figure, whereby the roller may be oscillated rearwardly to deliver a ball to the cup held by the pitcher figure.

lVhile the above isa description of the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is apparent that ,variouschanges may be made in the minor details of construction and ar- 'angement 01 parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

l claim:

1. in a device of the class described, a board having a transversely disposed slot, a block beneath said board adjacent said slot, a lever on said block adapted to rock transversely of said slot-and to project therethrough, means for vieldablv holding said lever at the extreme limit of movement in one direction, a game niece on said lever, a cup on said game niece, and a latch for retracting saidlever substantially as described.

2. In a device of the class described,

board having a transversely disposed slot, a rock bar mounted beneath said board to oscillate longitudinallv of said slot, a bloclr on said bar. a reel; lever on said blocl;

area

a latch on said bar and connected to said lever for retracting the latter, and means for rocking said bar substantially as described.

,3. ln a device of the class described, a board having a transversely disposed slot, a rock bar mountedbeneath said board to oscillate longitudinally of said slot, a shaft on said bar, a pulley on said shaft, means for yieldably holding said pulley retracted, means for rotating said pulley against the tension of said holding means, and a game piece detachably secured on said shaft to project above said board substantially as described.

i. ln a device of the class described, a board, means for projecting a ball above and horizontally across said board, a cup having its open end lying in the path of said ball and having its lower end open and communicating with said board, the said board being providedwith an opening in advance of said cup, an inclined surface beneath said opening, and means for delivering a ball from said surface to said ball projecting means substantially as described.

5.111 a device of the class described, a board,-a ball delivering means on said board, a ball collecting means, the said latter means comprising a roller, an arm on said roller,

a trough on said arm, a spring" for holding said arm in forward position, and means for retracting said arm to aline said trough with said ball delivering means, substantially as described.

6.'ln a device of the class described, in combination, a trackwav, means for making figures move in said trackway, a ball delivering device, a ball catching device and means for returning a ball from said catching to said delivering device substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

HARRY M. GRIMES. l /illnesses 'ltronarn l". SCHWARTZ,

A. H. SoHwAnrz. 

